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Stephanee Beggs ’20 ABSN understands the determination and hard work required to graduate from the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Mount Saint Mary’s. The prestigious and sought-after program prepares students who already hold a bachelor’s degree with the same rigorous curriculum and requirements as the four-year nursing program, all within a year.

Stephanee was a few months away from graduating in 2020 when the pandemic meant she had to continue her education online. Looking for a way to stay motivated while studying for the highly competitive national nursing licensure exam (NCLEX), she started recording her studying process. The process was so helpful, she started sharing teaching videos on social media to connect with other students and give them some tools to help their studies. Stephanee’s content soon went viral, inspiring her to create an educational content platform, RNExplained Inc., where she sells study materials and merchandise for aspiring nurses. What started as a fun project to keep her on track with her own studies, soon turned into a multi-million dollar company that has attracted over 1.2 million followers on social media. Last year, the 29-year-old nurse and entrepreneur was included in the 2023 Forbes 30 Under 30 list — the prestigious list that recognizes the brightest young leaders and game-changers in the country under the age of 30.

Stephanee is now giving back to the Mount by establishing The Stephanee Beggs’s 20 Scholarship for ABSN students and donating her popular study materials to this year’s ABSN students. “The Mount gave me the opportunity to completely change my career and follow my dreams. This University played a huge part in where and who I am today, and that’s why I wanted to give back,” says Stephanee.

The first recipient of Stephanee’s scholarship is Evelyn Lung ’24 ABSN. Evelyn always dreamed of becoming a nurse and helping others. After earning a degree in behavioral neuroscience from University of San Diego, she spent five years in the healthcare field working as a certified nurse assistant, behavior technician and phlebotomist at a blood bank. This year, Evelyn started studying in the Mount’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, where she has already completed clinical rotations within the UCLA Health hospital network.

“I’m so grateful for this scholarship. Receiving this support has reinforced my belief that I am on the right path and that I am here for a reason,” says Evelyn.

Before even starting her studies at the Mount, Evelyn was already following Stephanee’s educational videos and content on social media. Evelyn says that the alumna inspired her to follow her dreams to become a nurse.

Now, Evelyn is thriving academically and taking advantage of all the hands-on experience the Mount’s ABSN program offers. “The classes are very demanding, but I’m genuinely inspired and the support from this tight-knit community is incredibly helpful,” she says.

After graduating, she would like to work as an OB/GYN nurse and eventually become a nurse practitioner and open her own practice.

“I have no doubt Evelyn will be a great success in the healthcare community, and I am so honored to play a part in making her dream a reality. I can’t wait to see what she does next!” says Stephanee.

Stephanee came back to the Mount last year to teach pharmacology at the University, turning one of the most challenging classes in the program into a very popular one among nursing students. “I absolutely loved teaching and being a resource for students,” she says. This experience made her realize she has a passion for teaching. She is now completing a master’s degree in nursing education at University of Providence to become a clinical instructor. Stephanee plans to keep supporting the Mount in the future and she hopes to have the opportunity to teach again at her alma mater again.